Families of September 11 is now operating as the For Action Initiative. The
web pages on this site are available for informational purposes only.
Please visit us at www.foractioninitiative.org.

Welcome

Welcome to 2006. FOS11 looks forward to another year of serving our membership, and continuing our programs that advance issues important to our members. We look forward to a new year of growth, opportunities, and healing.

Looking back, 2005 was a difficult year for some members who continue to struggle in the aftermath of September 11th. We remember as well, those impacted by the London bombings, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and other tragedies that have occurred this past year. These families remain in our thoughts as they continue to rebuild their lives. FOS11 also acknowledges the heroes serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We also recognize that 2005 was a year of growth and accomplishment for FOS11. Highlights include:

• Increased membership of people who are geographically and emotionally isolated.

• The 2005 Common Ground Award for International Understanding was awarded to FOS11 and Americans for Democracy for sponsorship of the "Hope Not Hate" town hall meetings during the fall of 2004. FOS11 continued to support “Hope Not Hate” in 2005.

• New FOS11 Executive Director, Jennifer Mincin presented at the Security, Prosperity & America's Purpose Conference in September 2005, hosted by the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.

• FOS11 worked collaboratively with Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) to launch national public awareness campaign.

• The Chat Program successfully hosted 14 chat sessions, with over 250 enrollees and 125 participants.

• FOS11 launched a new version of the website to be more user-friendly and provides the most current and critical information necessary for members.

• FOS11 assisted with the installment of the Timeline Panels at Ground Zero that accurately and powerfully depict the events of September 11th. The timeline was produced by the New York State Museum in collaboration with FOS11 and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and with the participation of the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's Family Advisory Council.

• FOS11 published the first issue of the Children of September 11th Newsletter.

• FOS11 released a Final Report on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Senator Leahy put a copy of the Executive Summary of this report in the Congressional Record.

Issues Update

Now Available: Freedom from Fear: A Guide to Safety, Preparedness, and the Threat of TerrorismWritten by Gregory Thomas, FOS11 Board Member, Director of the Program for School Preparedness and Planning at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University.

Three out of every four Americans fear another terrorist attack on American soil. Shockingly, given this number, nearly two-thirds of U.S. citizens do not have a basic emergency plan and only one out of every five is familiar with his or her community's terrorism response plan. Written by one of America's leading public health authorities, Freedom From Fear offers advice on how to prepare and protect yourself and your family in a worst-case scenario. Believing that Americans should prepare themselves without scaring themselves, Gregory Thomas reveals the real probabilities and consequences of dirty bombs, biological and chemical warfare, and other commonly feared terrorist events.

• Includes advice on talking to kids about terrorism• Instructs readers how to create their own emergency plans• Emphasizes how knowledge and preparation reduce anxiety• Foreword by Lee H. Hamilton, former Vice Chair of the 9/11 Commission

9/11 Story Builders ProgramThe World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, through their “Story Builders” is asking the public to submit personal stories and photographs about September 11. You can submit stories and read the stories of others online at http://www.buildthememorial.org. The stories will become part of the permanent digital archive at the Memorial Museum.

Upcoming Events

Support Groups For Those Who Are Grieving and HealingJanuary 31, 2006These free support groups are offered by The Health Care Chaplaincy in their offices located at 307 East 60th Street in New York City. The groups have a maximum registration of eight and are designed to help those who have been separated from relatives or friends by death.

Building Resiliency in Our Children and Families - Workshop SeriesFebruary 22, 2006These workshops are offered by Prevention First, a non-profit agency dedicated to strengthening the foundations of families and children by empowering them to successfully handle difficult everyday life situations and challenges such as violence and trauma.

Tuesday’s Children Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Event On Sunday, January 29th, from 6:30-8:30 Tuesday’s Children is hosting their 4th Annual Winter Wonderland Event at Rockefeller Center, New York City. To learn more visit www.tuesdayschildren.org.

Resources

The Financial Planning AssociationThe Financial Planning Association (FPA) provides pro bono (free), no strings attached, financial planning advice and counseling to eligible 9/11 victims who lost a family member, those injured during the attacks or displaced from jobs/business as a direct result of the attacks, as well as rescue workers who assisted with recovery efforts and referred by a partner organization. Services include educational brochures and information sheets, seminars and workshops on a myriad of financial planning topics, customized to an organization's needs; and client referrals to FPA members who are CFP professionals for one-on-one consultations for qualified individuals and families. Access to FPA's 9/11 Financial Planning Relief Services can be obtained through a toll free helpline at 1-800-282-PLAN (7526), option 2, or contact Claude H. Collins, Program Coordinator, at 212-493-3480. For more information about the Financial Planning Association and services provided through the National Financial Planning Support Center, please visit www.FPAprobono.org.

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse ProgramProviding financial assistance for the cost of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Created by the September 11th Fund and the American Red Cross and now managed by the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA), this program offers financial assistance with the cost of mental health and substance abuse treatment to those directly affected by the attacks, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Coverage is retroactive to 9/11/01. Call the toll-free hotline at (800) LIFENET or visit the website at http://www.9-11mentalhealth.org/.

Career BreakthroughsCareer Breakthroughs is a career coaching program designed to serve individuals in the New York City Metropolitan Area, as well as individuals in Boston, Washington D.C, Shanksville, PA, or other U.S. regions as needed. The program serves 9/11-impacted individuals who are unemployed, severely underemployed, unable to sustain ongoing success in the workplace, or seeking to make a volunteer contribution to society. The program is led by Gene Gitelson, a former Vice President of the Chase Manhattan Bank and the former Managing Director of Lee Hecht Harrison, now the largest career services firm in the world. Read Gene's biography, including his work with the United Nations and other clients such as Major League Baseball and MTV. For more information on Career Breakthroughs, contact Gene directly at Ggitelson@aol.com or Career Breakthroughs Program Coordinator Michael Laputka at the Family Service League 973-746-0800 ext. 20 or via email at mlaputka@familyserviceleague.org.

Contact Us

Online

By Phone

General information: 212-575-1878

Families of September 11 (FOS11) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by families of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Membership is open to anyone affected by the events of September 11, 2001. More than 2,400 people worldwide have chosen to join us.

Families of September 11 is an accredited charity and is a member of the Seal Program, which indicates that our organization has met the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. For more information about the Standards, please visit the BBB of Metro New York's website at http://www.newyork.bbb.org/.

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